Suspended MP at centre of sexual conduct claims admitted to hospital

AN UNDER-FIRE MP who has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats amid claims of sexual misconduct has been admitted to hospital.

Officials from the office of the Portsmouth South MP, Mike Hancock, confirmed that he had been “in hospital since the end of last week and will remain so for some time”.

His offices in London and Portsmouth remain open, the statement added.

While has a history of poor health and underwent heart surgery in 2012, the statement did not give the reason for his latest hospital admission.

The statement said: “Mike has been in hospital since the end of last week and will remain so until at least the end of next week.

“His offices in London and Portsmouth remain open as usual.”

Mr Hancock was suspended from the Liberal Democrat party last month after the leak of a QC’s report into allegations – which he denies – of inappropriate behaviour towards a constituent with mental health issues.

He recently stepped down from the ruling cabinet of Portsmouth City Council.

He resigned the parliamentary party whip last year, but was still sitting as a Lib Dem councillor until the local group ruled that his suspension meant it must strip him of the party banner.

The announcement of his resignation from the council cabinet came hours before a meeting at which local Lib Dems were expected to decide whether Mr Hancock could retain his responsibility for regeneration and economic development while sitting as an independent councillor.